Assistant Architect

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

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At 8:58, Gu Yu appeared at his office, in thecompany on time.

Although it is his birthday, he isn't wearinganything different then he usually does. With his smoky grey coat and Leviblack jeans, he looks slender and refined.

He usually carries pencils and a pocketsketchbook in his jacket year-round and today is no exception. The left pocketof his jeans is bulging with pieces of paper sticking out. If he doesn't havehis backpack with him, he always carries a large book or album under his armlike the one he had on the day they met in the coffee shop. Also, Zhang Siyiknows that he reads a lot of books. He has seen Gu Yu carrying a variety ofbooks with a Haicheng Library label on the binding, like the book of poetry byGu Cheng

Since Gu Yu is a typical engineering student, it’shard to imagine an architect going to see the collection of literary poems.Whether it is speaking or thinking, he is logical and clear, and never confusingor subtle. The only time Gu Yu revealed a certain literacy, was when he usedthe poem of Wang Anshi in the text of the Z-City project.

Today, he walked quickly with a large bookwrapped in an old cloth under his arm, from the elevator to his office withouttrouble. At the door he stopped moving and looked at the dense pile of cactusin front of it with a questioning look. With doubts and speculation in hiseyes, he looked around the office area until his sight landed on the closestperson, Zhang Siyi.

Watching the computer screen nervously andpretending to be drawing carefully, Zhang Siyi had his back to Gu Yu. Gu Yuslightly raised his mouth and opened the door of his office and spoke:“Zhang Siyi, come over.”

"……" Fuck! I'm not ready!!

Zhang Siyi hurriedlystuffed the small green light that was originally hidden in his clothes intothe drawer and got up to walk over.

Gu Yu has bent downto take two pots of cactus and said: “Help me get these to the front desktogether.”

Zhang Siyi stunned:“Why?”

Amused, Gu Yuaddressed him: "Actually, I want to ask you why you put so many cactus here?"

Zhang Siyi flatlyreplied: "I didn't put them there."

The smile on Gu Yu'sface was gone. Zhang Siyi felt a little guilty. Although they weren't hisgifts, he was the one who proposed the idea. If he does not accept them, howwill his next plan be carried out?

Zhang Siyi wrinkledhis eyebrows and whispered: “Don’t you like cactus? Today is your birthdayso everyone is happy that you will accept it.”

Holding two pots ofcactus, with a faceless expression, Gu Yu did not seem to acknowledge him.

Zhang Siyi was veryhelpless and had to help him move the potted plants to the landscape frame atthe entrance of the office. It was a donation to the company’s plants. On theway back, he made an apologetic expression to the female colleagues who hadbeen looking forward to Gu Yu acceptance.

The femalecolleagues seemed to be used to Gu Yu demeanor so while frustrated, they didn'ttake it to heart. A few minutes later, Gu Yu sent a message inside Group A:“Thank you for the gift. I appreciate it. Keep up the good work. [Smile]”

The employeesreceived the news and immediately replied with a “Happy Birthday”.The female colleagues also had a smile on their faces and the atmosphere washarmonious. Except for Zhang Siyi. Instead his heart ached. What about his owngift? Gu Yu is so cold and indifferent, he doesn't know what to do.

Internally, ZhangSiyi struggled: "It took six hours to make and it looks great! How can I notgive it to him?" All morning, Zhang Siyi anxiously mulled over the issue andfinally, after lunch learned why Gu Yu acted the way he did.

Not only are thecompany’s rewards and punishments clearly defined, but also employees’birthdays have standard benefits, including Gu Yu. Therefore, he can’t engagein special gifts from his subordinates. Whether it is a cheap cactus orsomething else, if the first is accepted, then there will be a second time andmore and thus, mutual fairness will be broken.

But Zhang Siyi isnot quite the same. Not long ago, Gu Yu gave him a tape measure so he can use thisreason to return a gift to him. Also, he made this gift himself, therefore itis in a difference category then small gifts purchased at a store.

After figuring outthis layer of relationship, Zhang Siyi gave sigh of relief. He admitted tohaving an ulterior motive by giving him the lamp with Birthday wishes. However,people die for money, birds die for food, under great economic pressure,integrity is the moral clouds, dark society by me to stir the muddy water —all for the bonus, go! Cactus!

After seeing Gu Yureturn to his office from his meal, Zhang Siyi pumped his fist, got up andknocked on the door of his office.

“Come in.”Gu Yu was pouring a cup of tea. Once done, he pulled the back of his chair outand sat down. The book wrapped in cloth was on his desk half open and the titlewas now revealed; "Ice". Zhang Siyi didn't know what the book was. Gu Yuinterrupted his momentary thought: “What are you looking for?” Gu Yu pickedup the book with one hand and drank tea with the other.

Zhang Siyi carefullytook out his cactus lamp from behind his back and placed it on Gu Yu’s desk.Now, sitting opposite Gu Yu, he thought of his pride and ambition and isfeeling a bit shy. He pushed the lamp forward, saying nothing. His heart was upand down.

“What isthis?” Gu Yan glanced at him curiously and lifted it up to look at it moreclosely. "A cactus?"

"Yeh!" Zhang Siyieyes brightened, feeling relieved. Of course, Gu Yu would know what it is,unlike Heartless Han, that idiot. He thought it was a tennis ball. Afraid to berejected, Zhang Siyi eagerly explained: “This is what I did myself. It isa small night light that will light up.”

Gu Yu turned it aroundin a circle and saw the switch on the base. He pressed it with a 'click' and thesphere immediately lit up from the inside and emanated a green glowing light.Because it is daytime, it doesn't seem so gloomy and in fact, the lamp lookedsmall and cute.

Gu Yu smiled andasked, “Are you giving this to me?”

Zhang Siyi nervouslyrubbing his thighs under the table: “Well, I wanted to give you a presentin thanks for your tape measure gift."

Gu Yu smiled and putthe little lamp in his hand and looked at it for a long while. He said: “It'slovely, thank you.”

Zhang Siyi looked athim with uncertainty. He accepted the gift just like that? It feels quite easy!

"But I'm surprised."Gu Yu put the lamp aside. "I thought you would play the violin for me today."

Zhang Siyi:“…” Shit! If you are going to be so cold, then don't accept it."

Gu Yu bowed his headto drink his tea. He changed the topic: “Will you participate in the photocontest?”

Still feelingfrazzled, Zhang Siyi reaction is a little slow: "Ah? …. Yes, I will."

When Gu Yu looked atZhang Siyi, his long eyelashes lifted up and revealed deep, mesmerizing eyes: "Ispecifically proposed this photography event. With your good level ofphotographic ability, you should grasp this opportunity."

Zhang Siyi:“…”

Coming out of GuYu's office, Zhang Siyi continued to be in a trance. Things didn't go accordingto his plan. He was looking forward to seeing a grateful expression on Gi Yu's face.Originally, he thought Gu Yu would accept his gift earnestly and that would bethat. Instead, Zhang Siyi feels like he was being played by Gu Yu.

However, Zhang Siyiwas really touched. He did not think that the effect of giving gifts would hithim so fast. Or it should be said, that even if he does not give this gift, theidea that Gu Yu in private is thinking of him makes his whole body heat up fromhead to toe. Zhang Siyi feels like he is fluttering on cloud-nine and thoughtthat Gu Yu is just too good. Whoo-hoo ~ (>_<>

Thinking of the bookon Gu’s desk, Zhang Siyi curiously searched the Internet – “Ice” bythe author Zeng Guofan. It is a classic document about relationships betweenpeople. It is Zeng Guofan’s insight into the mind and heart. It presents aunique strategy for hiring and employing people as well as a good practicalreference for readers making it easy, yet interesting to read.

Zhang Siyi:“…” You play with the heart and the mind boy!

At night Zhang Siyi leftthe office and arrived back home punctually. He bumped into Fu Xinhui who wasjust leaving to walk the dog. Cheer-Up was wearing a beautiful silver coloredcollar and was obediently following Fu Xinhui.

Although stillsmall, one could see how handsome and valiant the dog will grow up to be from itssolid gold hair and stature. “Do you want to go with me? You didn’t eatdinner, did you? Come, let's have a meal together." Fu Xinhui gave an unsolicitedinvitation.

Zhang Siyi certainlywould not refuse an invitation to dinner. On the way, he told his friend about GuYu's rejection of the female colleagues' gifts and acceptance of the cactuslamp he gave him. Smiling, Zhang Siyi felt proud. Fu Xinhui felt uneasy:“Are you sure people won't think you are gay?"

Zhang Siyi said:“Why would people think that over a little lamp?"

Fu Xinhui:“Well, that’s not the point. The point is that he only received your gift…”

Zhang Siyi waved hishand: “Oh, it’s impossible. Before, there were female colleagues whothought he was special to me, but I feel that they are just joking. There is noreason to think there is anything more to it."

Fu Xinhui irritated:“Then why do we always get mistaken for being gay?”

As they spoke, therewas a sudden screaming around them: “Ah! So cute!”

Two beautiful, collegestudent girls saw the golden puppy that Fu Xinhui was holding, and they came overto them with excitement.

“Good cutepuppy! What kind of breed? Labrador? Can we pet him?”

Fu Xinhui generouslylet them come close and answered their questions with a gentleman’s face. Thetwo girls were smashed, and they affectionately pet Cheer-Up for a few minutesbefore they looked up and saw Zhang Siyi standing on the side.

“Hey, are youraising this dog together?"

“Hey, are you guygay?”

Fu Xinhui:“…” (=_=)

Zhang Siyi:“…”

It was hard to getrid of those two girls. This reoccurring topic makes Zhang Siyi feel frustrated."Why do people always think we are a couple? Ah! Not just my ex-girlfriend, butmy boss played this joke too! Are we trying to be gay? Do you have a gay temperament,or do I?"

Continuing theirwalk with Cheer-Up Fu Xinhui declared: “Definitely not me.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

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